All India Bar Association and Markandey Katju differ on selection of CJI

New Delhi: The All India Bar Association on Thursday wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee expressing “deep anguish” on views of PCI chairman Markandey Katju that the Chief Justice of India should be selected on merit and not on the basis of seniority.

The Council condemned attempts to bring out a proposal which could potentially hamper independence of judiciary. AIBA chairman Adish C. Aggarwal referred to a ruling by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in 1993 and said the apex court had held that the principle of seniority must be followed in determination of the incumbent to the office of the CJI.

“The practice of the senior most judge being appointed Chief Justice of the SC has stood test of time. It has the approval of the Bar and the community of jurists, Mr Aggarwal said.